A lush, unique garden design that perfectly complements the architectural style of this Melbourne home

Athough a well-designed garden looks as if its creation was close to effortless, considerable expertise is required to create a garden that is practical and aesthetically pleasing. This is why the owners of this property in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak sought the services of Merrick Hide Design.

The brief was to create a garden that would be lush and enhance the property by working with the unique architectural style of the house. Making sure the garden was appropriate for children and pets was a priority, too. Merrick Hide Design made excellent use of tiered spaces to delineate and separate the driveway, children’s play space and the entertaining areas. While the overall style is semi-formal with European influences, some areas have a Mediterranean feel; others a more modern mien.

Making a grand first impression, the long driveway has a central staircase, which is lit at night. The staircase was built using Chalford limestone, as was the driveway border. Chalford limestone, a beautiful hard-wearing stone with blue-grey tones and a distressed finish, was also used for the steps that lead from the driveway and verandah to the lawn, the capping on the retaining walls and the random paving in the entertaining area.

Limestone was also used for the steps in the sideway where it is complemented by Calabor natural stone free-form walling. This creates interest and the walling, with its mid and light greys with hints of brown, works beautifully with the exterior colour of the house. Red-brick retaining walls complement the natural stone and the house design. So too do the red-brick wood-burning fireplaces that are a feature of both the outdoor entertaining area and the pavilion built next to the swimming pool. The pavilion is equipped with lounge furniture and a television — perfect for lazy weekends and relaxed gatherings.

The main entertaining area features an architecturally designed outdoor kitchen, complete with a barbecue, fridge, storage and sink, as befits such a high-end property. There is gas heating to supplement the fireplace, extensive task and ambient lighting and timber-framed lounge and dining furniture with white upholstery that picks up on the white trim of the house. The list of plants is extensive, with each one carefully selected to suit the different growing conditions around the property and to create a specific effect. Jacarandas were specially grown for the driveway to create an air of grandeur and a spectacular canopy when the trees bloom in summer. Conversely, the plants chosen for the sideway outside the master bedroom have a softening effect and give a sense of serenity. Other plants were chosen as features and placed in white-washed vintage Turkish pots.

About Merrick Hide Design

A landscape design and construction company offering consultancy, architectural and maintenance services, Merrick Hide Design is known for its progressive approach to the design process and its ability to tailor fully integrated bespoke solutions. Merrick Hide Design has earned many accolades over the years, with the most recent being an award for the Best Stand 18m2 and Under at The Home Show 2017.